Authorities arrest 2 000 at Beitbridge border

Beitbridge is one of the busiest border posts in Africa

Zim Now Writer

The Department of Immigration, through its compliance and enforcement unit, has arrested 1 737 people engaging in illegal activities along the Zimbabwe-South Africa border in an effort to curtail criminal activities, such as border jumping, touting, the use of fake immigration stamps and fake travel documents.

The head of Immigration Services’ compliance and enforcement unit, Canisia Magaya said they are working with other border agencies in the enforcement committee to tackle criminality at the border post.

Shesaid in the last 12 days, they rounded up 1 737 suspects.

“We are not relenting on our quest to maintain the safety and security of travellers. We want to ensure that there is a flawless flow of traffic this festive season,” said Magaya.

The arrested include 168 vendors, 301 touts, 1 258 for irregular migration and two for smuggling people.

“We are saying those who are caught on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly. This ongoing crackdown operation will not give the criminals breathing space,” she said.

Magaya also discouraged all travellers arriving at the border post from using the services of touts and conmen who, in most cases, dupe them of their money by using unorthodox means of clearing their goods.

Beitbridge is one of the busiest border posts in Africa, which not only connects Zimbabwe and South Africa but also serves as the transit point for the majority of north-south trade in Southern Africa.